Dogs from across the Suncoast will gather with their owners at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 5 to compete in a Westminster-like dog show spoof and vie for the honor of being named “Top Dog.”
Guests will enjoy food by The Sarasota-Manatee Originals while WWSB ABC7’s John Scalzi will lead canine contestants through six exciting competition categories: Best Kiss, Owner Look Alike, Best Wag, Sit…Stay…Whatever, Best Smart Pet Trick and Best Dressed.
Celebrity judges will determine the winner of each category, along with the ultimate winner of the night – the dog who will be deemed the “Top Dog.” The event will feature an all-star lineup of judges for the night: Linda Carson, Gayle Guynup, Joey Panek and Lulu, Ryan Phillip, Ron Soto and Darrell Turner.
Dog competition registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Guests will socialize with their dogs during Yappy Hour, followed by the competition, which will start at 7 p.m.
The event will benefit Donte’s Den Foundation, created by Marsha Panuce and her late husband Don. The foundation is named after one of the Panuce’s prized standard schnauzers and is a safe haven and forever home for dogs of all kinds, sizes and needs.
“This event is a great opportunity to celebrate all of the top dogs in our lives,” said Marsha Panuce. “It’s a fun way to showcase the mission of Donte’s Den: to create a community of joyful dogs, not only at our sanctuary, but throughout the entire Sarasota-Manatee community.”
Tickets for Donte’s Den Top Dog are $100 and include fabulous food by nine restaurant members of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, including Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Bijou Café, The Broken Egg, Café Gabbiano, Half Shell Oyster House, Lynches Pub, Madfish Grill, Ophelia’s On The Bay and Polo Grill. Guests will also enjoy dessert from Cupcakes a Go-Go and an open bar. Tickets can be purchased at https://dontesdentopdog.
The event is sponsored by the Herald-Tribune Media Group; WWSB ABC7; Advance Controls, Inc.; Gold Coast Eagle Distributing; Office Depot; L Boutique, Soto Opticians and Turner Tree Farm. The event’s chairs are Jamie and Mike Carter; Liebe and Billy Gamble; Jaymie and Tommy Klauber; and Susie and Jack Steenbarger.
About Donte’s Den
Donte’s Den is an innovative dog sanctuary that provides state-of-the-art care for up to 100 dogs on 50 acres of pristine countryside in Manatee County. An October groundbreaking for Donte’s Den is planned, and construction on the sanctuary will be completed in June 2014.
Donte’s Den will care for dogs that belong to members of the military who cannot arrange for a home for their dog while they are deployed. The sanctuary will also create a program for dogs whose owners can no longer provide care for their canine companions because of medical rehabilitation, moves to an assisted living facility or death. Donte’s Den will also provide a temporary home for abandoned and homeless dogs while working on their rehabilitation and adoption.